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Community Corner

🌱Free COVID Test Kits For Laurel Residents + Laurel Park Race

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Laurel.

Alexis Goring, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Happy Friday, neighbors! Let's get you all caught up on what's happening locally to start today off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

Sun mixing with clouds. High: 45 Low: 29.

Here are the top three stories today in Laurel:

  1. Friday's Stronach 5 could offer a generous return on investment. The wager will offer races from Laurel Park, Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields and Gulfstream Park. Santa Anita will play host to a maiden special weight event on the turf, while one of Gulfstream's two races in the sequence will be a maiden claimer on the turf. The Stronach 5 had 56 winning tickets last week each worth $1,756.20. (Past The Wire)
  2. Laurel residents are able to pick up free at-home COVID-19 test kits while supplies last. These kits are free, thanks to American Rescue Plan Act funds. Two kits per person can be picked up at the following locations: Laurel Municipal Center, Robert J. DiPietro Community Center and the Laurel Armory. (Patch)
  3. Governor Larry Hogan recently announced that a record number of Marylanders enrolled for health coverage for 2022 in the annual open enrollment that just ended through Maryland Health Connection. The 182,861 enrollments marked a new record for the state-based health insurance marketplace. A record was also set for enrollees new to Maryland Health Connection with 47,315 new enrollments, which is 70% more than the Marylanders who newly enrolled a year ago. (Maryland.gov)

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Today in Laurel:

  • Laurel Dutch Country Farmers Market—Open on 9701 Fort Meade Road (8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
  • In Freedom's Name—Enjoy this touring exhibit in Laurel that celebrates the military service and sacrifice of Black Marylanders throughout history. The exhibit features 38 panels that include 63 major stories and 245 photographs and images. It explores the stories of Marylanders and Prince Georgians whose courage and service are an inspiration for young people and adults alike. (10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
  • Music & Me at Discoveries in Annapolis Mall—Experience the joy of music, dancing, singing, and stories with your child. Learn simple musical concepts while reinforcing Early Literacy skills. Taught by an experienced Early Childhood Music instructor. (10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.)
  • Fresh Foods for Foster Families—Fresh Foods for Foster Families happening in Greenbelt. (4:00 p.m.)
  • Monty Python's Spamalot at Toby's Dinner Theatre in Columbia (6:00 p.m.)
  • Phoenix Festival Theater Presents Footloose!—This event will be hosted by the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company Theater in Baltimore. Footloose is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. Directed by Rodd Robertson. Stage adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie. Based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford. Music by Tom Snow. Lyrics by Dean Pitchford. To the rockin' rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated Top Forty score, augmented with dynamic new songs, Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people while guiding them with a warm heart and open mind. (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • Laurel Police Department: The Laurel Police Department is requesting the public's assistance identifying a suspect in an armed robbery. If you have any information about this suspect please contact Detective Kropff at 301-498-0092. (Facebook)
  • Laurel Police Department: We want to thank Chef Ed and everyone at Mad Cow for not only a delicious meal but also a great conversation! (Facebook)
  • City of Laurel - Government: In need of a COVID test kit? They are available at the Municipal Center, Robert J. DiPietro Community Center and Laurel Armory for individuals to pick up throughout the week. (Facebook)
  • Laurel Police Department: Join us for an In-Person Town Hall: A Year in Review 2021! This event is open to the public and will go over crime trends and safety information from 2021. Save the date and join us on March 29 at 6:00 p.m. (Facebook)
  • City of Laurel - Government: Registration has been extended for kiddie basketball and Kidz basketball. (Facebook)
  • PEPCO Team, Pepco: *Beware of Utility Imposters* Scammers have an increasing number of ways to mislead customers into thinking their utilities are contacting them for urgent payment. (Nextdoor)
  • Maryland Office of People's Counsel, Director of Consumer Services, Brandi Nieland, State of Maryland: *Safety tips for preventing frozen pipes at home* Frigid temperatures can cause frozen and bursting pipes. Since water expands when it freezes, metal and plastic pipes are at risk of breaking in the freezing temperatures. (Nextdoor)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Russett: Has anyone used Camp Bow Wow in Columbia for boarding and daycare? If so, how was your experience? (Nextdoor)
  • Communications Manager S White-Talbert, Prince George's County Government: Join the Office of Community Relations for a virtual PGC311 Launch Party on March 10 at 7:00 p.m. to learn more about the new exciting easy-to-use PGC311 system. (Nextdoor)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Kings Woods: *Looking for moving help.* I need two bedrooms moved/furniture taken apart and put back together at new place few blocks away. (Nextdoor)
  • Economic Development Corporation - Communications Specialist Jordyn Tillman, Prince George's County Government: Takeout Tuesday travels to Laurel to visit The Mad Cow. Established as a result of hard labor, heritage, and a profound passion for wonderful food. (Nextdoor)

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That's it for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update!

— Alexis Goring

About me: My name is Alexis A. Goring. I'm a Bowie area resident with a pulse for people, news and feature stories! I've worked as a freelance writer/editor/proofreader in the media industry for 15 years. I'm also a published author, experienced blogger, and founder of Writer at Heart Editorial Services. Visit my website for more details about me and my work. Here's the link: https://alexisagoring.jimdofree.com.

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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